Malibu power steering

[Eric Wettschreck]

06 malibu, 120k miles, 3500 engine.

This is wifes car, twice this has happened. First time it was -20 out, second time it was 40 degrees out. Don't know if that matters but thought I'd throw it in for troubleshooting.

She started it up, the info center said "Power steering" and she had no power steering. I drove to where she was, started it up, everything was good. Second time this happened was the same thing. The info center said "Power steering", she had no power steering, drove it home and parked in garage. I went out, started it up, everythings good.

From what I understand this is an electric power steering pump on the steering column. I've heard some horror stories about having to replace the entire column. Is this true? I'm going to check electrical connections for corrosion and clean them up if necessary. After that, what are the troubleshooting steps to see if it's just a pump or the entire column needing replacement?

For what it's worth, I'm not very excited about replacing a column but will have it done if needed.

[Macgyver55]

I've heard the same as you Eric, and my daughter has an 06 Pontiac G6 that did the same thing twice last winter but hasn't done it since. I'm using the fingers crossed at this point but the columns are not that hard to replace.

Also be sure to check your vin # because they extended the warranty on some models of the Malibu and G6 to 10 years or 150000 miles! Unfortunately, (and I dont know how) but my daughter has 170,000 already so hers isnt covered.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Isn't it the motor that is going bad on these? Isn't the motor itself serviceable? I know I have replaced just a motor on a GM electic power steering system just can't remember what it was.

[jjz]

We had similar problems 06 Malibu Maxx 120,000 miles. Started infrequent, becoming very common. They recalled 05 models and extended warranty too I guess. Could check the ground I guess that can cause some of this, some times. Ours eventually started to make the steering wheel pulse and shake slightly if you weren't holding the wheel. I was told no fixing the column, either it works or not. End result new steering column free of charge.

Good Luck

[Macgyver55]

Did a little more research Eric, and it sounds like GM won't sell anything but the column assembly. But Dorman has come out with the part separately that is very common to go bad. It's called an Electric Steering Position and Torque Sensor. This may or may not be your problem but it is the most common problem associated with these columns. It is available online in the $125 range.